I'm sorry it took a little longer than usual for me to get the next piece of this story posted. I've been pulling a lot of over-time and I'm afraid I've just been too drained to get it written. I'm sorry.

Also this chapter is a little... hmmm... gory at the beginning and I'm sorry about that, but this was probably the best way to explain what needed to be explained about his past or at least my interpretation of it.

I'm trying to get this story updated at least one chapter sometime during the week. Well I hope I can anyway!

Also, what I mean by suggestions, since a friend pointed out that it was kind of vague. I'm referring to grammar and basic characteristics of the characters. Am I failing to get across the emotions and personality of the character? Stuff like that. The plot line was set before I even sat down at the keyboard I'm afraid. It's actually a pretty intricate plot that if I change around at all will ruin the story. 'Sigh' I'm a detail freak I'm afraid. Well anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always Read and Review.

Author's Note:

The line "You should never inflict your own pain and suffering upon others." is based off of a section of code of Bushido. This rule is a cornerstone in Japanese tradition one of the main reasons that the Japanese are so polite. There are a lot of deeper meanings behind it as well but just to let you know in case you don't already, this is an important part of Japanese culture. Also the debt part is a piece of the code as well. It's referred to as giri, it is basically an obligation. You owe a debt to your parents, your government, and anyone that ever does a favor for you. I think that is a pretty good way of summarizing it, I hope. ;; At least that's what it says on my Black Belt report I had to write.

Chapter 5: Crimson Stains
There was blood splattered all over the car. Ryuichi's parents were still strapped firmly into the front seats, and the blood was flowing everywhere.

Ryuichi wasn't hurt. Somehow he hadn't been hurt but...

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Ryuichi scrambled out of his seat belt to check on his parents. Why didn't they answer him?

"Mom..." Ryuichi's voice trailed off when he saw them. Their bodies... the metal poll it had...

"No!" He screamed.
Narumi rushed over to his side as he cried out in his sleep. She tried to hold him down as he flailed around. He was striking out at anything and everything.

She checked his fever again. his fever was getting a little bit worse.
"Mommy, no! Don't leave me! Daddy! Wake up, Daddy!"

He tried to pull the pole out of his mother's body but the blood made it too slippery and he fell time and time again. Warm, wet tears were falling down his face.

"Mommy!"

A crowd had already gathered round and they could hear the sound of an ambulance coming, but over the screaming cries of the ambulance the voice of a single terrified boy could be heard far more clearly.

"Mommy!"
Narumi replaced the cloth with a fresh one and she was surprised when a hand grabbed her wrist. Looking up, she was staring straight into Ryuichi's blue eyes.

They seemed... dead almost. The kind friendly man she had helped was once again gone, and in his place was left a bitter, broken man.

"Well, at least your awake that's definitely a small improvement. Here." She handed him a glass of water. "You need your liquids right now."

Ryuichi took the glass from her but only stared blankly into its depths. His mind was lost in that horrible memory he had just relived.

"If you need someone to talk to, I'm willing to listen."

Ryuichi studied the far wall. He was still feeling pretty badly, but it wasn't so much from the fever as from the dream.

He could still remember the smell of blood that had flooded his nostrils that day. The scent had been overwhelming and every time he was around blood he could feel his insides churn, and he had to fight not to throw up. The memories of that day were still too painful. He looked down at Kumaguro in his arms and he remembered that day all to clearly. He wasn't sure why he started, but the words began to tumble from his lips. Just like in his memories the tears began to stream down his face again.

"I was in a car with my parents and there was an accident... I... after... I... both of my parents they... My Uncle raised me afterwards. My mother had given me Kuma that morning for my birthday and we..."

Ryuichi wanted to say it all so badly but a part of him cried out that there was no use. Saying it only made it more painful. His uncle had yelled at him time and time again for even bringing up the subject.

"You should never inflict your own pain and suffering upon others." He would always say, and he was right.

Narumi had been so kind to him giving him a place to stay for the night, and taking care of him even though he was sick. He had no right to share the pain he felt inside with her... It was his burden. A burden he had to carry... alone. He would smile and do his best to make everyone around him happy. His sadness didn't truly matter anyway.

"I'll listen anytime you want." Narumi repeated. "If you can't talk about it now then perhaps you'll need to some other time. Until then though," She pushed him back down onto the couch. "You need your rest!"

He smiled feebly up at her. She was such a kind person, as kind as his mother had been.

When was the last time he had been taken care of like this? He thought back along his life and he couldn't remember a time after the accident. His mother was the only person who had ever taken care of him like this.

Narumi was indeed a wonderful person. He would have to pay her back somehow, someday. But for now... He cuddled with Kumaguro under the blanket...

Tomorrow was indeed another day.

Chapter 6

Something big is about to happen, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it all into the next chapter or not. It's either just the planning of it or the planning and happening of it. It's going to be cute though.